Afridi backs Misbah after making PCB chief unhappy

RIZWAN ALIOctober 14, 2014

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Shahid Afridi has given his support to struggling Misbah-ul-Haq as skipper for next year’s World Cup after initially creating controversy over the captaincy.

Afridi irked Pakistan Cricket Board officials on Sunday by saying after the third one-day international loss to Australia that the PCB should decide now who will lead the team in next year’s tournament.

Regular skipper Misbah opted to sit out on Sunday because of his loss of batting form. Afridi, as stand-in captain, couldn’t prevent Australia from winning by one run and sweeping the series 3-0.

“Afridi knows what he should say and what he shouldn’t, and in my opinion the things he said were irresponsible,” PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said on Tuesday.

The PCB had already announced Misbah as captain until the World Cup, and Khan said Afridi’s comments created only “doubts in the minds of people.”